Enela, because of her human socializing, does not fit in well with the other elders. She becomes something of a rebellious teenager. She and Ari-Ana have several conflicts. In an attempt to understand Enela, Ari-Ana talks Red Hawk into delving into her mind and memories. Enela frequently leaves the elder village and goes to a nearby butte that used to house a tribe of cliff dwellers. There she meets Mary Gauss whose father is conducting an archeological "dig" at the butte with his class of college students. Enela and Mary become very close friends. Mary shows Enela a special hidden room at the butte. Enela and her friend Hila subsequently investigate the room and discover a star map and a hole leading to a cavern inside the butte. Enela and Hila decide to investigate further. Enela goes down through the hole to discover what lies below and stumbles upon a alien space craft. They also find some papers written in Eldertongue which Enela manages to decipher. Enela eventually gets permission from Ari-Ana to explore the craft in more detail. What they discover sets the stage for a grand showdown among the Elder Councilors. Enela's infatuation with Mary becomes the focal point for an all-out attack on the Elder community.